Disney's storied Diamond Horseshoe Revue

One of the biggest challenges facing Disney’s Imagineers in the theme parks is what to do with an attraction that’s simply run its course and needs to be closed "for your future enjoyment."

Disney’s creative team is usually left with an empty building. Worse, that building is more often than not located in a themed area, which means whatever they decide as a replacement attraction needs to fit into the general parameters of that theme.

Janet SchmidtA Diamond Horseshoe Revue entertainer sits on a bar during a performance in the 1990s.

For instance, when Flight to the Moon — an original Magic Kingdom attraction in Walt Disney World — was closed in 1975, it was replaced by Mission to Mars, a similar, if somewhat unrealistic journey to the Red Planet. Either way, the theme was space travel.

When Tomorrowland underwent a major overhaul in the mid-1990s (showing off "the future that never was," I believe they called it), the Mission to Mars building underwent a radical transformation and became home to the problematic (read: way too scary for younger guests) ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter in 1995.

Eight years later, Alien Encounter — thanks to the success of the "Lilo and Stitch" movie — was toned down somewhat and morphed into Stitch’s Great Escape.

Over in Frontierland, another original attraction has been revamped over the years as people’s tastes have changed.

The Diamond Horseshoe Revue was one of the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom from the first time it swung open its saloon doors in 1971.

The Diamond Horseshoe Revue was a spin-off of the popular Golden Horseshoe Revue in Disneyland. That venue was one of Walt Disney’s favorites — in fact, he and his wife Lillian celebrated their wedding anniversary there a few days before Disneyland opened in July of 1955.

Janet SchmidtCan-can dancers entertain the crowd during a show in the Diamond Horsehoe.

Walt Disney World old-timers remember having to secure much sought-after tickets for the Diamond Horseshoe Revue at the Disneyana Collectibles shop on Main Street at the crack of dawn or face missing out on the show.

That show featured some good ol’ fashioned entertainment reminiscent of the Wild West saloons, circa 1870. They even served some light refreshments.

The interior of the traditional dance hall featured a stage for the performers. There were tables and chairs on the main floor; seating also was available in a balcony area which enabled guests to view all the proceedings from above.

The hoot-and-holler show featured plenty of singin’, can-can dancin’ and corny wise crackin’ jokes. Some of the performers were known to climb down into the audience for some up-close and personal interaction.

There was even a cowboy who managed to get most of his "teeth" knocked out of his mouth seven or eight times a day ... and then he’d spit them out into the roaring crowd.

Good times.

The Diamond Horseshoe has been turned into a seasonal restaurant, serving sandwiches and salads.

Over the years, the WDW venue saw a number of name changes — Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree, Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue — before closing in 2003.

For a time, the space in WDW was used for photo opportunities with "Toy Story" characters Woody, Jessy and Bullseye. In Disneyland, they took it a step further, actually staging a "Toy Story"-themed show geared to the younger cowpokes in the audience.

These days, WDW’s Diamond Horseshoe is open seasonally. Inside, you can purchase sandwiches and salads.

And if you listen long and hard enough, you might be able to hear some echoes of the building’s rip-roarin’, hoop-dee-do past.